Pioneer undertaker business became household name
LUTCHMAN Rajkoomar, a member of a pioneer indentured Indian family from Verulam, was the first Indian South African to establish a funeral undertaking business.
He initially worked as a barman at a Verulam hotel and later opened a wood and coal business next to the mosque at Queen’s Bridge in Umgeni Road.
Rajkoomar was influenced by his brothers-in-law who worked as coffin-makers for Doves funerals. He then decided to start a funeral business from his wood and coal premises in 1932.
When he applied for a licence, there were objections from
